Israel Ultimatum to Resume War in Gaza

Author: Luthfie Febrianto
February 13, 2025

Arsip foto - Jalur Gaza yang luluh lantak akibat serbuan Israel. (ANTARA/Anadolu)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - In response to the suspension of Israeli hostage release by Hamas, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu threatens to resume fighting in Gaza by noon on Saturday.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin has asked Hamas to cooperate in returning Israeli hostages through a video posted on social media, “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” he said as quoted on The Guardian.

Later, Israel's Channel 12 confirmed later that the cabinet agreed that Israel would uphold its commitment to the truce if three captives were freed on Saturday as planned.

However, Netanyahu further stated on Tuesday evening that he had instructed the Israeli military to bolster reinforcements in the Gaza region "in preparation for various scenarios."

In answer, Hamas reiterated its adherence to the ceasefire deal in a statement late Tuesday, claiming that Israel would be "responsible for any complications or delays."

On the ground, demonstrators in Tel Aviv have blocked roadways since Monday night, demanding the return of all hostages, while some relatives accused the government of undercutting the arrangement.

Since the beginning of this week, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is nearing its collapse and further complicated by US President Donald Trump's threat to take over Gaza.

The plan has sparked anger among Arab states, who argue that it would undermine another of Trump’s major objectives: securing diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump hosted King Abdullah of Jordan in the White House to discuss their agreement on ‘taking over Gaza’ plan with threat of delay aid as its collateral.

Abdullah later confirmed that his nation will take in 2,000 ailing children from war-torn Gaza while he rejected Trump's plan to take over the region.

“... This is the unified Arab position. Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all,” he said as quoted on The Guardian.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas